[Intramedullary nailing osteosynthesis with epiphyseal fixation of fractures of the proximal humerus in adults. 1 to 3-year follow-up].

The authors used a medullary pinning with epiphyseal fixation in the treatment of superior metaphyseal fractures of the humerus for 41 patients aged 22 to 82 years. There were 28 cases with epiphyseal fractures and 12 with metaphyseal fractures. The follow-up was 1 to 3 years. The pins were introduced through the triceps brachii after perforation of the diaphysis, 1 cm above the ulnar fossa. Results were very good. Strength returned within 8.5 weeks. There was only one case of nonunion of a proximal diaphyseal fracture due to a technical fault (diastasis between fragments). Rehabilitation began immediately, resulting in good elbow motion in 35 cases. The shoulder motion was the same as the healthy side in 36 cases, and inferior to 90 degrees of abduction in only two complex epiphyseal fracture. The proximal humerus was never perforated by the pins. The authors find this new instrumentation to be very effective.